Tories rip into Keir Starmer's claim Labour is now 'patriotic party'
The Labour leader declared that Labour is now "the patriotic party" in the run-up to St George's Day.
Sir Keir Starmer's claim that Labour is now "the patriotic party" has been rubbished by Tory MPs.
The Labour leader used an opinion piece ahead of St George's Day to speak of his "pride and gratitude" at being English.
He insisted he had "no time for those who flinch at displaying our flag" and described the cross of St George as a "symbol of pride, belonging and inclusion".
Sir Keir also accused the Conservatives of denigrating "some of our proudest national institutions" such as the BBC and the National Trust.
But Tory MPs dismissed the Labour leader's claims about his party's patriotism.
Conservative Party deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis told the Daily Express: "Labour may now be wrapping themselves in St George’s flag but the truth is the Labour leadership haven’t changed.
"The British people will never forget Emily Thornberry, one of Starmer’s key allies, hauling someone over the coals for patriotically flying the flag.
"The party that tried to elect Jeremy Corbyn will never understand the pride that many people feel about our country."
In 2014, Labour MP Emily Thornberry resigned from the shadow cabinet after being accused of snobbery when she tweeted a picture of a house in Rochester, Kent, with St George's flags and a white van parked outside.
Senior Tory MP Sir Michael Fabricant added: "When he enthusiastically supported Corbyn who wanted to abolish our nuclear and other defences, was he so patriotic then? I think not.”
Fellow Conservative Bob Seely said: "I don’t buy it, and neither should anyone remotely sensible.
"The Labour Party continues to harbour and hide the hard left.
"They do not love this country. They profess shame for our history and our values."
Sir Keir's comments come after a backbench Labour MP last month claimed the party's use of the Union flag on its campaign material was "detrimental" to its chances in areas with large ethnic minority populations.
His remarks echo those made by Sir Tony Blair nearly 30 years ago when, as leader of the opposition, he also accused the Tories of lacking patriotism.
